The First Imports
As I don't want to hijack the AKC recognition thread I decided to continue the akita discussion here:)
Liz Harrell is one of the founding members of the ACA and had experience with the first imports.She passed away in 2001 and was considered very respected in the US akita world. http://www.rraci.org/liz.htm
Here is an interview with Liz Harrell concerning the first akitas to come from japan. http://www.akitahistory.netfirms.com/original_us_imports/interview_harell_mbs.htm
Here is general info about the ACA stud registrar
http://www.akitahistory.netfirms.com/original_us_imports/gen_info.
Where am i going with this thread? I don't really know But id like for people to learn about the American akitas history in the US. I also like to point out that the american akita is not simply comprised of the dewa bloodline. The Ichinoseki bloodline contributed significantly to the AA as well. Also in 2003 a phylogenetic study was conducted by Yamazaki veterinary school in Kanagawa, Japan.They collected samples from 39 akitas in the US to study mitochondrial DNA. The researchers knew the genetic marker in German Shepherds at the DRD4 gene polymorphism is different from that of the Akita in Japan. The researchers compared the samples from the AAs and found them different from the GSDs and that there was no significant difference between American and Japanese Akitas genetically at that marker. They also found gene polymorphisms existed nearly the same in both breeds. Here is the link for anyone interested in info. http://www.akitaclub.org/health/research/studycom1.html Anyway i will continue to update this thread as i find more info.. BTW i am not saying the that the akita should remain the same breed in the US. I think that they should already be split as their phenotype is quite different and both breeds need to preserve their unique looks. ( but historically they are the same dog to me that's my own opinion tho)
Liz Harrell is one of the founding members of the ACA and had experience with the first imports.She passed away in 2001 and was considered very respected in the US akita world. http://www.rraci.org/liz.htm
Here is an interview with Liz Harrell concerning the first akitas to come from japan. http://www.akitahistory.netfirms.com/original_us_imports/interview_harell_mbs.htm
Here is general info about the ACA stud registrar
http://www.akitahistory.netfirms.com/original_us_imports/gen_info.
Where am i going with this thread? I don't really know But id like for people to learn about the American akitas history in the US. I also like to point out that the american akita is not simply comprised of the dewa bloodline. The Ichinoseki bloodline contributed significantly to the AA as well. Also in 2003 a phylogenetic study was conducted by Yamazaki veterinary school in Kanagawa, Japan.They collected samples from 39 akitas in the US to study mitochondrial DNA. The researchers knew the genetic marker in German Shepherds at the DRD4 gene polymorphism is different from that of the Akita in Japan. The researchers compared the samples from the AAs and found them different from the GSDs and that there was no significant difference between American and Japanese Akitas genetically at that marker. They also found gene polymorphisms existed nearly the same in both breeds. Here is the link for anyone interested in info. http://www.akitaclub.org/health/research/studycom1.html Anyway i will continue to update this thread as i find more info.. BTW i am not saying the that the akita should remain the same breed in the US. I think that they should already be split as their phenotype is quite different and both breeds need to preserve their unique looks. ( but historically they are the same dog to me that's my own opinion tho)
Comments
"( but historically they are the same dog to me that's my own opinion tho)" - I agree here as well. Although I feel that the two lines have had less of an effect on the AA and their evolution was more from years and years of blending.
Unjyo-go
http://www.akitahistory.netfirms.com/akitasinhistory/unjyo/index.htm
Tamakumo-go (Tamagumo-go)
http://www.akitahistory.netfirms.com/akitasinhistory/tamakumo/index.htm
Shoryu-go (Noboriryu-go)
http://www.akitahistory.netfirms.com/akitasinhistory/shoryu/index.htm
Ive also seen tweenies that fit under the AA standard but with JA marking
Are they not true to the AA Type? I dont consider the markings a big deal its the size and type that matters to me.
The black mask is common but not demanded in the AA so a white mask cannot be faulted. heres a vid that does a excellent job of explaining the AKC standard
I also read that when the split happens that one possiblity is to split by pedigree meaning, where any dogs that are Japanese import or any subsequent generation bred in this country where all the lines go back strictly to Japanese import, would become the JAs and the tweenies types, would in all likelihood and rationally stay with the AAs since they were brought in to improve the breed stock here.